PRO Tip Sheet: 5 Insights From This Week

Hollywood celebrates the end of the writers' strike, SAG-AFTRA talks resume soon, Hasan Minhaj faces criticism from former "Daily Show" staffers, and 20th Century's activities post-Disney acquisition raise eyebrows. [5 Insights From WrapPRO]( This week, we went deep inside the negotiations leading up to the WGA deal that ended the writers' strike. We also spoke to former "Daily Show" staffers who unanimously believe that Hasan Minhaj's embellishments should eliminate him from hosting the comedy-news show. And if you feel like you haven't heard much from 20th Century since Disney bought it, you may be surprised at what it's up to these days. [Read More on WrapPRO]( 1. [5 Days to End the Strike: When Writers and Studios (Finally) Hit a Contract Breakthrough]( By Jeremy Fuster | Source: [WrapPRO]( - On Sept. 20, the Writers Guild of America received a long-awaited full counterproposal, marking a turning point in the writers' strike negotiations. - The breakthrough was attributed to end-of-summer phone calls made by WGA Negotiating Committee co-chair Chris Keyser to various studio CEOs, emphasizing the unified demands of the guild members. - Warner Bros. Discovery projected a financial hit of $300-$500 million due to the strike, highlighting the economic stakes at play for studios. - Disagreements surfaced on Sept. 21 when the WGA presented new items for discussion, leading to CEO walkouts. However, the primary contention revolved around protections for writers supporting extended picket lines. [Keep Reading]( 2. [Hasan Minhaj’s ‘Emotional Truths’ Debacle Disqualifies Him From Hosting ‘Daily Show,’ Former Staffers Say]( By Kayla Cobb & Sharon Knolle | Source: [WrapPRO]( - Hasan Minhaj faced backlash for fabricating instances of racism in his stand-up routines, with former “Daily Show” staffers expressing their concerns to TheWrap. - Minhaj's fabrications have been criticized for potentially damaging the credibility of people of color discussing real discrimination, with claims they provide ammunition for white supremacists. - The integrity and fact-checking of "The Daily Show" were highlighted, noting that a writer could be fired for presenting factual inaccuracies during Jon Stewart's time. - Despite controversies surrounding his fabrications, Minhaj remains in contention for the role of “The Daily Show” host. - Minhaj’s anthrax story, which he shared in his Netflix special and a PBS interview, has been exposed as an embellishment, raising further concerns about his credibility. [Keep Reading]( Join the ranks of high-powered industry leaders who read [WrapPRO]( every day. Want unlimited access to in-depth reporting, analysis, and industry data? [Upgrade to a subscription today](. 3. [4 Years Under Disney: What Is 20th Century Studios Now?]( By Scott Mendelson | Source: [WrapPRO]( - Since Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, it's now known as 20th Century Studios and predominantly serves as a content provider for Disney's streaming platforms. - While some films like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” are set for theatrical releases, a majority, such as “Boston Strangler” and “Vacation Friends 2,” are destined for streaming. - Despite being acquired for $71 billion in 2019, the studio's focus shifted significantly after the pandemic hit the theatrical market and Wall Street emphasized streaming profits. - Disney released 43 features under the 20th Century Studios banner since 2020, with 67% missing out on theatrical releases in 2022, reflecting a significant shift to streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+. - Despite the changes, industry insiders believe 20th Century Studios won't fade away entirely, as Disney requires a label for R-rated films and unique content, underlining the evolving nature of film distribution in the entertainment industry. [Keep Reading]( 4. [How ‘Moonlighting’ Finally Arrived on Streaming]( By Drew Taylor | Source: [WrapPRO]( - The iconic romantic comedy/drama “Moonlighting,” starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, is set to debut on Hulu after being largely absent from mainstream viewing for about two decades. - A primary delay in bringing "Moonlighting" to streaming platforms was the complex rights clearances needed for the show's music, encompassing around 300 songs across its five seasons. - Hulu undertook significant efforts to upgrade episodes to HD and secure the rights to most of the original songs, with roughly 90% of them retained for the Hulu release, including the signature theme by Al Jarreau. - Bruce Willis' recent diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia adds a poignant context to the show's return, showcasing his role as a romantic leading man with verbal brilliance, differing from his more action-oriented roles. - Glenn Gordon Caron, the show's creator, emphasizes the innovative spirit behind "Moonlighting" during its original run, aiming to distinguish it from other TV offerings and captivate audiences with its unique blend of drama and comedy. [Keep Reading]( 5. [‘Therapy Can Be a Luxury’: The Strikes and Hollywood Workers’ Mental Health]( By Jeremy Fuster | Source: [WrapPRO]( - Actor-turned-therapist James Kane started a low-cost therapy group to support entertainment workers, addressing the prevalent anxiety and mental health challenges they face during industry strikes. - Organizations like the Entertainment Community Fund and the Motion Picture and Television Fund observed a surge in calls for financial aid due to the ongoing strike, and over 3,000 crew members have taken hardship withdrawals to survive. - With an aim to help the entertainment workers cope during the strike, the Entertainment Community Fund introduced online workshops focused on meditation, financial support, job searching and mental care techniques. - Mental health challenges in the entertainment industry were prominent even before the strike, exacerbated by conditions like part-time pay for full-time work, making therapy and mental health support inaccessible to many. [Keep Reading]( With a focus on delivering actionable intelligence, the PRO Tip Sheet empowers readers to stay ahead of the game in the industry. Want to go deeper? [Explore WrapPRO today](. [LEARN MORE]( TheWrap | 2034 Armacost Ave Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Unsubscribe](